The Recess Leaders program The program has 5th grade volunteers providing guidance and support to the 1st grade during recess by teaching and then participating in a variety of games and activities with them. The program will run for October and November and we need Parent Monitors to volunteer for 2-3 sessions. They will sit with the 5th graders at the start of lunch to chat through the games/activities they would like to play and then monitor the play on the field. The parents also need to attend a 30 min emergency training session on the 23rd Sept at 8.30am. Its a fun and very rewarding program, so if you would like to help out please contact Jo Weir joanna_weir1@hotmail.com (908 858 0974)

For information on contract negotiations with the Summit Education Association, please refer to: The district website, Summit Public School Website Karen Greco, Summit Public Schools, Communications Specialist 908-918-2100 ext 3400 You may also reach out to the members of the Board of Education.

September 10, 2014 Dear Franklin Parents: We all recognize the importance of a child’s birthday and how much they enjoy celebrating it in school.  We are, however, asking that we celebrate this important milestone in a somewhat different way this year. In an effort to promote the goals of good nutrition, our literacy initiative, and to abide by the district’s nutrition policy No. 8505, we are asking that you no longer send in food treats to hand out for your child’s birthday.  Instead, please consider picking out a book for the teacher to read to the class or donating a book to your child’s classroom library in his or her honor. Please note that we will continue to have our annual class parties for various holiday celebrations and will attempt to assure that the treats offered there are appropriate for all students. We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter.  If you have any additional ideas that may further this goal, please feel free to send in your suggestion. Sincerely, Felix Gil, Principal

  In order to drive and chaperone on class field trips, parents must be Fingerprinted and complete a Volunteer Driver Form. Please click on the links below for the paperwork needed to complete the fingerprinting: FINGERPRINTING DETAILS FINGERPRINTING PROCEDURES FINGERPRINTING EMERGENCY FORM VOLUNTEER DRIVER FORM We are hoping to have a mobile unit come to the school for fingerprinting later this year. Please stay tuned for details. In the meantime, if you would like to complete the fingerprinting now, please follow the instructions on the links above.    

On September 1, 2014, Franklin’s wonderful teacher’s aide, Joanne Tremallo, has retired. We wish her much happiness in her retirement.  We will miss her.

As you know Dr. Cole is retiring on October 1. During her 15 years at Franklin School she has attended the Franklin Fair and won a collection of stuffed animals from the birthday cube. This collection has been available for use by students over the years for stuffed animal days and other school activities over the last 15 years. We are raffling off the stuffed animals to all of the students in Franklin School.  A name will be raffled every day until all of the stuffed animals are gone.  Any student who wants to be included in the raffle can place their name in the raffle box in the Main Hallway.  You can place your name more than once and can continue to place your name in the box even after the drawing begins on September 17 and continue until Dr. Cole’s last day of school.

FLIC Volunteers and Substitutes Needed!!!! Duties include – reshelving books, checking books in and out, occasional special projects, support to Ms Stochaj. Please note that you will not be scheduled to volunteer during your child(rens) FLIC time. Please contact Lauren Pardo at lpardo4@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer.

  Have you ever wondered who your child sits with at lunch?  Why the lunch comes home half eaten?  Or do you just want to spend a little more time at Franklin? Whatever the case, we invite you to come help out with lunch duty.  The commitment is not much, just an hour approximately every 4-5 weeks.  It’s also flexible.  We can work with your schedule! For more information or to volunteer please contact: Michelle Wallach (mwallach1@gmail.com).

This year we welcome Mrs. Mary Davis, a new 2nd grade teacher to fill the vacancy left by the departure of Mrs. Caryn Coscia, who has accepted a teaching post closer to home.  Originally from the Southwest, Mrs. Davis is an experienced teacher and has been in our part of the country for the last several years.  She has taught in kindergarten to third grade classrooms for over 10 years.  Mrs. Davis is a graduate of Oklahoma State University, where she majored in Early Childhood Education.  Mrs. Davis also has a Master of Science in Elementary Education, and a certificate in Special Education.   We are excited to have Mrs. Davis join the Franklin family.

Week of August 18th: *Completed construction of new partition for temporary egress and fire rated ceiling. *Completed electrical work for temporary egress. *Completed installation of exterior temporary egress door. *Commenced sheetrock ceiling in temporary egress corridor. *Commenced installation of lighting in temporary corridor. *Commenced installation of temporary egress steps on South side of building. *Commenced excavation of building addition footprint. *Continued submittal process. Anticipated for Week of August 25th: *Complete sheet rocking of ceilings at temporary egress corridor. *Complete installation of light fixtures and exit signs at temporary egress corridor. *Continue excavation of building addition footprint. *Commence excavation of elevator footprint. *Continue submittal process.

FRANKLIN SCHOOL The Warwick Avenue entrance to the school is closed due to the construction.   Drop off procedures are not affected and will remain the same.  Listed below are the changes in the arrival and dismissal locations. FRONT DOOR-BLACKBURN ROAD First Grade Classes LIBRARY DOOR-RIGHT SIDE-BLACKBURN ROAD Third Grade Classes Second Grade Classes 4/5 GRADES NEW WING-BACK PLAYGROUND Fifth Grade Classes Fourth Grade Classes SIDE DOOR BY WARWICK ROAD CLOSED DUE TO CONSTRUCTION

  August 21, 2014 Dear Franklin Parents, I am excited to be the incoming principal at Franklin School and look forward to welcoming your children and you in   September.  I know many of you from the Wilson Primary Center, but look forward to meeting new faces as well.  When we open  school in September, our current principal, Dr. Sheila Cole, will still be with us. For the first month of school, she will work with me to make the coming year a great one. Next Wednesday, August 27, we will mail out placement letters informing you of your child’s teacher and changes in drop-off and pick-up pattern, which are a product of our current construction.  As construction proceeds, we have committed ourselves to provide timely and informative updates.  Throughout the year you will receive these updates from me and will also see information on the district website. In the mail, I will be sending your children a brief letter of introduction and also mention construction.  Anticipate that your children will see changes in the building and its surrounding area when they come to us in September.  If you have a chance, be mindful of safety and do not come on […]

School for the 2014-2015 year begins on Thursday, September 4th. Hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing summer. It’s going to be a great year at Franklin! Please remember to check the website regularly for the most up-to-date information at Franklin.

Mr. Gil will be taking on the role of Franklin School Principal on October 2nd upon the retirement of Dr. Cole. Mr. Gil joined Summit as the first Principal of our Primary Centers, upon their completion in 2008. For the past six years, he has brought to life the vision and goal of the Wilson and Jefferson Primary Centers and made them exceptional examples of early childhood education. Under Mr. Gil’s leadership, the programs in general and special education have become models, recognized by the state and visited by other districts from New Jersey and New York. Mr. Gil has been a school administrator since 2001.  He came to Summit after serving as principal at the Anna Silver School, PS #20, in New York City. There he supervised 650 students and a staff of 75. Mr. Gil is a graduate of New York University.  He also holds two Masters degrees: a Master’s of Science from the City University of New York and a Master’s of Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Mr. Gil is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education.  Mr. Gil is fluent in Spanish and conversational Portuguese. Let’s welcome Mr. Gil […]

    The goal of the Franklin PTO is to enhance the educational experiences of our children and support teachers by providing them with the tools necessary to make this happen. Your membership into the Franklin PTO allows the PTO to provide our students with exceptional programs and supplies needed- such as Art in the Classroom, Enrichment Programs, Musical Theater, Cultural Arts, Author Visits, Field Trips, Field Day Supplies, Materials and Books for FLIC, Rugs for Classrooms, Stability Balls, Teacher Luncheons, Nurse Supplies, Back to School Ice Pops, Chair Pockets and so much more. Joining the PTO also entitles you to vote at the General PTO Meetings and become a Volunteer Chairperson for any committee. Please consider joining the PTO by donating $10, $25, $50, $100 or any amount that you feel comfortable with.  All contributions are greatly appreciated and used in a productive manner! Please click here for the PTO Membership Dues Form or Pay PTO Dues Here. Any questions, please contact Membership Chair, Jennifer Hoffman, at (jenniferhoffman1@yahoo.com)